This is one of many short video segments which will be added to the Digital Tipping Point (DTP) archive. This particular segment features Jim Gettys, who is one of the computer scientists who has been instrumental in working on much of the fundamental programming that runs Linux and Unix. In this segment, Jim introduces himself, and gives a history of his work with the X Window System and the Athena Project. Jim says that one of the reasons that people have encountered difficulties with Windows is that they are expected to be their own systems administrators. He talks about how, in the Unix and Linux world, it is possible to manage lots of computers with only a few people, which is not true in the Windows world. He talks about alternative solutions, such as Linux thin client solutions, where the computer can be managed over a network.
Jim's interview is interesting because it gives us a bit of a background in the competition between Linux, Unix and Microsoft Windows. Linux is one of the members of the Unix family, and Unix was designed for heavy metal, meaning big main frame systsms that HAD to work right or major business enterprises would go down. Microsoft disrupted the computer industry, including heavy metal, by providing small, cheap PCs that could be run by ordinary people. Now, Unix's little brother, Linux, is returning the favor by providing cheaper solutions. This particular segment of Jim's interview helps set the stage for this industry-changing conflict. Jim is an interesting character, and more can be found about him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Gettys
tape id = e-dv101_pa_13_amadeu_002_gettys_01.mpg
The DTP will be many, many films created by the global open source video community about how open source is changing their lives. We, the DTP crew, are submitting this footage for anyone to rip, mix, and burn under the Creative Commons Attribute - ShareAlike license. We welcome edits, transcriptions, graphics, music, and animation contributions to the film. Please send a link for any contributions to Christian Einfeldt at einfeldt at gmail.com.
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and typing the audio as you hear it into the wiki. Please be sure to add the transcription for this segment under segment 002 - Jim Gettys. You can find other ways to contribute by going to our wiki front page here:
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